Bartender’s Resume

When you first decide you want to be a bartender, you usually pick up a book or two about cocktails and then maybe sign up for a bartending course. All of this effort will get you started, but bar schools usually don't impress employers, they want experience. Knowing all of your cocktails is great too, but just because you know them doesn't mean you can make them on a night when you are so behind it's yesterday again. A seasoned bartender thinks clearly under pressure, rookies, not so much. So how do you get behind the wood if you don't have experience? That is one of life's great paradoxes. At one point every bartender had no experience, so it's possible to become one. Aside from slogging it out and being persistent, a good resume can help your case. Here's my bartending resume that got me employed behind the wood.

When I decide to pick bartending as a new career choice I did the usual things, but because I was older I understood a bit better what employers wanted. They want people to put effort into things, that is what they want. It is pretty simple, if you look like a slob, dress like a slob and smell like a slob, when you go to an interview, it is unlikely that you will land any job, even that of a sewage remediation technician. So dressing properly to drop off a resume is the start, but you can look like a million bucks, but if your resume looks like crap, then it was a waste of time.

A good looking resume will catch the eye of a potential employer. If you put effort into the resume, then the automatic assumption is that you put effort into everything you do. Again first impressions count, and employers will be quick to judge you. Most bars and restaurants can be selective when it comes to hiring bartenders, everyone wants to be one and there is rarely ever a shortage of applicants.

When I landed my first real bartending job, not rent-a-tender work, it was because of my resume. One of the supervisor, Tony, at the local casino told me that he was looking through the pile of resumes and spotted mine, which is kind of colourful. He told me that he showed a number of other supervisors the resume and said he wanted to bring me in for an interview. The reasoning was; if I put that much effort into my resume, I'd probably put that much effort into working.

That's the beauty of a great resume, it makes a good first impression. I ended up getting hired and worked there for almost two years. Aside from casinos having different hiring standards than most bars, the resume still allowed me to get a job with no bartending experience. Also, the casino doesn't provide any specific bartender training, just a week or two of shadowing.

When you have no experience the main thing to say on your bartenders resume is that you will put in the effort to learn. Be enthusiastic when you write, but don't be goofy and don't be a suck up. Being funny is very good though, so if you can write with wit, then do so, everyone loves a funny bartender. Be confident, bartenders have an aura of being in control. Be truthful, don't try to lie your way behind the bar, it won't work. Individualize each resume for each bar. Don't go into the local bikers hangout and hand the owner a resume that espouses how great a classic Singapore Sling is and that your favourite new cocktail component is elder flower cordial!

When you land your first gig, work hard when you land the job, because the interview isn't over! Most employers will try you out for a night or two. Bartending isn't a walk in the park, it's probably one of the hardest jobs in the front of the house and your effort will make up for your screw ups.Bartending Resume Example (pdf)

If you want to learn more about being a bartender please check out the Art of Drink weblog. Studying and learning cocktails, spirits and the wisdom of other bartenders is a great way to supplement your resume. Also, Jeffrey Morgenthaler and Cheryl Charming have some excellent advice for resumes.

16 Comments on Bartenders Resume

By A G on April 13, 2007 4:28 PM

I just wanted to share a quick comment, about your helpful tips.
It brought a new perspective in for me as far as wanting to become a Bartender. I feel much more comfortable deciding on a field that I have little experience in. Thank you for the insight.

Sincerely, A G

By Matt on August 7, 2007 2:55 PM

Hey thanks man,

Good to know I can put a little fun into mine. I especially like the "favorite drink" section; an excellent idea!

By Loli on September 29, 2007 1:40 PM

Hey,

As a new bartender myself I found these tips to be very useful... Knowing the kind of person I am, I would've never thought to incorporate such a colorful technique to a resume. Seems like it works! Thanks!

-la

By Chris on October 9, 2007 6:12 AM

Your resume is very insightful. Thanks dude! You certainly deserved that job with your resume

I like it. I have a little experience, but need more. It does make me nervous to just go in somewhere with only a few mos. of solid experience, because I'm afraid they're going to test me right off the bat and ask me to make some random drink. Besides, it's been years since I poured. I hadn't done anything but go to school since I got pregnant with my son. Love the resume btw

By Shelly on June 27, 2008 11:19 AM

LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! the resume, with the limited experience I have after going to school, it does make since to play it up. Thanks for the great idea.

By Deryk Lewis on August 8, 2008 7:16 PM

You have given me some really great ideas. I have only done side gigs and parties after having gone to a bartending school here in San Francisco. I have not had any support in going after a bartending job. I feel more confident now that maybe someone will give me a start.

By Vanessa on September 7, 2008 11:25 AM

I think you resume is amazing!!!!!!!! Truly insightful, as well creative. I am always looking for ideas to share with my students when it comes to writing a bartending resume and you have supplied me with such a great demo. Thank you for sharing such a fabulous resume: ) I wish you the best of luck with all of your future endeavors.

This resume was created with CorelDRAW 12. No templates were used, just basic graphic design. Cheers

By DM on August 20, 2009 3:10 PM

Thanks for this info. I have no exp and want to start bartending part time. This will really help me out!!!!
Good job!

By EO on September 3, 2009 7:29 PM

Hey Darcy,

Just wondering whether or not it's a good idea to invest in bartending school.
It seems that from what I've read (articles, comments, etc), bartender's hate people who went to bartending school.
Would it be a better idea to not do it? Or do it and not put it on the resume?

I don't find "bartending schools" teach you anything valuable. They actually give you the impression bartending is easy, then you get a job and find out it's not. The trend right now (and hopefully for a long time) is on quality drinks. Bar schools don't teach quality, they just teach speed. Unfortunately, speed is something that requires experience.

My advice, don't waste the money. Instead take the money you would have spent and go buy a couple of these books, Bartending Books, and read them from cover to cover. Cheers!